Oscars, docs and a Blind Date: Ten things to do this week

Janna Hove, Janna Hove02.20.2013

Get in on the glitziest night in show business as the Varscona Theatre celebrates the Oscars. The 85th annual Academy Awards are being presented, and you can watch it all happening live on the big screen during Oscar Night at the Varscona. Dress to impress and stroll down the red carpet like the stars, pausing for paparazzi photos along the way. Your hosts, Tom Edwards and Matt Alden, will provide commentary and comedy during the program. It all happens Sunday, Feb. 24, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Varscona Theatre, 10329 83rd Ave. Admission: $25, available through Tix on the Square. Information: 780-420-1757, or tixonthesquare.ca.

Janna Hove
/ Janna Hove

Over the past decade, the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts has staged art shows and supported the efforts of artists facing barriers to artistic expression, including the late Louis O'Coffey, pictured above. Join them in celebrating 10 years of success at their big birthday bash. The event will feature a retrospective on the centre’s visual arts, performances, live music and the opportunity to see artists at work in the studio. Reception is Thursday, Feb. 21, 5 to 8 p.m.; the exhibition runs until March 10 at Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, 9225 118th Ave. Admission is free. Information: 780-474-7611, or ninahaggertyart.ca.
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If you’ve only experienced Bob Saget’s comic talents in the form of Full House or America’s Funniest Home Videos, get ready for a shock. The popular comedian may have done a great and wholesome Danny Tanner, but it’s his raunchy, R-rated stand-up comedy that keeps Saget on the list of in-demand artists. The show happens Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. at River Cree Resort and Casino. Admission is $49.50, available online from River Cree. Information: rivercreeresort.com.Normand Blouin
/ Postmedia News

Reefer Madness started out as a church propaganda film decrying the evils of marijuana use, but managed to worm its way into the hearts of many to become a cult cinema classic. Now, the 1936 film has been edited down to a 45-minute silent film and will screen with a live soundtrack by audio artist fl3m in what’s sure to be an oddball and entertaining evening at the Wunderbar. Screening takes place Sunday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. at Wunderbar Hofbrauhaus, 8120 101st St. Admission: $8, no minors. Information: wunderbar-edmonton.com.
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The Citadel Theatre brings back the hilarious, one-of-a-kind production, Blind Date. Mimi has been stood up by her mystery man, and so looks to the audience for a replacement — who’ll be the co-star of the play for the entire performance. As a result, the show is different each night. Mimi is played by Rebecca Northan and Renee Amber, who each take on the role for certain performances. The show runs Thursday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 22, 9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23, 4 and 9 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m. at the Citadel Theatre. Admission starts at $20, available through the Citadel Theatre box office. Information: 780-425-1820, or citadeltheatre.comGreg Tjepkema
/ Photo by Greg Tjepkema

Forty-five documentaries from around the world will screen at this year’s Global Visions Film Festival, the longest-running documentary film festival in Canada. The selections include offerings from 24 countries around the globe and feature three Academy Award nominees. The festival takes place Wednesday, Feb. 27, through March 3 at various venues around Edmonton. Admission: Individual film tickets, $12 adult; $10, student and senior; children under 6, free. Passes and packages also available. Information: tixonthesquare.ca.
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Don’t take the freedom to read for granted. Even Canada struggles with censorship issues: works are constantly being challenged, including Anne Laurel Carter’s The Shepherd’s Granddaughter, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, and Blaise Larmee’s graphic novel Young Lions. Banned Books Café is the Edmonton Public Library’s way of marking Freedom to Read Week; drop in to the Woodcroft branch to hear readings from challenged books and participate in discussions about censorship. The free event takes place Sunday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. at Woodcroft branch, Edmonton Public Library, 13420 114th Ave. Information: 780-496-1830, or epl.ca.Chris Young
/ The Canadian Press

Women of Folkways is an annual concert that celebrates the sounds of the Folkways label’s many amazing female artists. Hosted by Maria Dunn, this concert also features McDades fiddler Shannon Johnson and slide guitarist Ellen McIllwaine. The event is a part of the Winter Roots Roundup IV festival. It takes place Sunday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. at Festival Place, Sherwood Park. Admission is $32, table; $30, box; $28, theatre. Information: 780-449-3378, or festivalplace.ab.ca.David Williamson
/ David Williamson

Founded in 1952, the Edmonton Youth Orchestra is known as one of the finest youth orchestra programs in the country, offering orchestral training and experience of the highest quality to youth ages 11 to 24 from Edmonton and northern Alberta. Help the organization celebrate its 60th anniversary with a gala concert, featuring special guests the Richard Eaton Singers and the Robertson-Wesley Ringers. The concert takes place Sunday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. at the Winspear Centre. Tickets are $15, adult, $10, student and senior, available from Tix on the Square. Information: 780-420-1757, or tixonthesquare.ca.
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Why wait till the long winter is over? Get a head start on patio season with Latitude 53 gallery’s popular Parka Patio Party. The event will merge all the best bits of Edmonton’s most intense seasons, including outdoor DJs, cotton candy and popcorn snacks, mulled wine, and Fat Franks hot dogs to create one bizarre indoor-outdoor extravaganza. The party happens Saturday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. at Latitude 53, 10248 106th St. Tickets are $12, advance, $15 at the door, available online at Latitude 53. Information: latitude53.org.
/ Postmedia News

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